Hoop, there it is. File this under my weirdest “Dude, Get On That Already” challenge to date. Much like many of our other DGOTA adventures, this mini update involves something that sat around bugging me way too long + a trusty ol’ can of spray paint. But this time it’s not an animal. I know. Total shocker.
John actually laughed at me for this little tweak (and I’m fully expecting you guys to as well), but they say it’s the little things that make ya happy… and seeing a bright red and blue plastic hoop against the back wall of our carport every. single. time. we pulled into the driveway (it was so bright you could see it from the curb) did not a happy momma make. And I know it’s dumb, but I worried the neighbors may have thought it was junky and tacky to have a big colorful hoop in plain sight 24/7 (they all do such a nice job to keep their yards looking nice, and many have kids but their toys are tucked away by evening). So because I’m what my dad likes to call “a strange bird” (seriously, I’ve been weird since before it was cool – wait, it’s still not cool?), I’ll share my odd little DIYed hoop-redeeming solution. Just promise not to compare me to Monica from Friends (I don’t fold my underwear, I swear).
First of all, this basketball hoop is super important.
Why? Because it makes Clara a happy girl. And a happy girl = a happy momma. So I devised a way to:
- keep the hoop right there in the carport (after trying several locations it’s the best spot for it)
- keep it just as functional (don’t need to explain this one, right?)
- make it simmah-down-now from the curb (in the slightly altered words of Jay-Z: we got 99 bright toys I love, but this hoop ain’t one)
That plan? A can of ORB spray paint. I mean, would you expect anything less from me at this point? I’m definitely not one of those people who thinks all kids toys should be neutral or white or should match the living room. Clara has a ton of brightly colored toys and I’m even the gal who painted her hand-me-down highchair bright yellow, made her a happy little dollhouse with cheerful furniture to match, and painted her formerly neutral wooden crayon truck sky blue…
… but after four months of rounding the block and seeing that red ring of fury on that bright blue stem, I realized there had to be a solution that worked for Clara, the hoop, and the mom. I love that bright colors help with development, but I just decided that one item out of many (this girl’s got toys for days!) that’s not a bright color is OK since I’ve never sprayed anything else of hers a muted color (and have actually added color to muted things, like her high chair and her crayon truck… so hopefully it all balances out). And come to think of it, her very favorite “toys” are rocks and sticks, so ORB fits right into that color scheme.
Sadly I didn’t get a good shot of the basketball hoop in all of it’s primary color glory before my paint-fest (bad blogger, no Oreos for you) but I actually made this photoshopped rendering for ya. How nuts am I? Wait, don’t answer that.
In the “real photo” category, you can actually see it peering around the back of the table in this post. See, it’s even brighter in real life than the one in the rendering. Haha.
And you can see how he looked all naked and ready for a new suit in the back yard (I removed the net part for the spraying phase so it wouldn’t get all gunked up).
The thing was visible from space, I tell ya… and then it wasn’t.
Thank you ORB. For those wondering what I used or if it works on plastic, Rustoleum Universal All-Surface spray paint is made to work on plastic and hold up outdoors – it even has a built-in primer for a better hold (I used the oil-rubbed bronze color of course). Total cost: $0, since I already had half of a can leftover from another ORB adventure. And in the time department, it took under twenty minutes to knock this baby out. Fast and free. Why didn’t I do this four months ago?
Just as I suspected, Hooper is a total looker with his new finish. As for why I went with oil-rubbed bronze spray paint, it ties into the carport light and a few other dark accents around the outside of our house and hides more dirt than something lighter/brighter might. No more “Loook! I’m a little plastic hoop! Check me out!” – just chill aloofness and that “I’m cool enough to fall back and do mah thing without demanding everyone’s attention” vibe. And the contrasting white net makes it easy for Clara to slam dunk (it’s not all flat and dark, so she can still clearly see the basket).
Small personal projects like these are my favorite. They might seem completely crazy to someone else (or maybe everyone else, haha) but they really have the power to make your day. It’s kind of like how I’m a terrible baker and you probably couldn’t pay me to attempt a three layer cake but my BFF does that stuff FOR FUN (really?! for fun?!). To each his own (picture me raising a can of spray paint as if to say “cheers”).
So in summary: Mommy likes. And happily, Clara and Daddy like it too. See how he’s hardly visible from halfway down the driveway now? Life is good.
Way better than this, right? And there are still dozens of bright toys in our midst (seriously, you should see our living room right now).
The cutest part is that Clara apparently has a thing for ORB like her momma. She has even taken to calling it her “so so shiny hoop.” Love that girl. And of course she has a whole bunch of multicolored balls that go with it (they tuck away into that storage container next to it) so it’s not a sad little drab thing when it’s in action. Everybody wins.
Except for Burger. He can’t play basketball. Poor guy.
What small-slash-quirky-but-somehow-woefully-overdue updates have you guys been tackling (or planning to tackle)? Do you all think I’m crazy? Anyone else painting something outside? Or do you have a dog who plays basketball? That would be the most impressive of all.
Jamie H says
I kept wondering if it was april fool’s day in august! Once you put the net back it looked okay but that first orbed pic had me worried. I won’t be trying this project myself but it does look better for the neighbors.
Beth says
My son Charlie has the same hoop. (I was just noticing yours in the deck pictures the other day.) We keep it in his room, and I really like the bright colors. I wish their wasn’t a logo, but the colors work. Also, I don’t think I would have minded it outside, because all the bright things remind me that the little ones are around.
I had to say at first I thought it was crazy to paint it, but I understand wanting to do something that gnaws at you. Plus the simple treatment totally worked to remove your annoyance. And it doesn’t look bad at all either. :)
MaryB says
ORB the storage bin too!!!!
Elizabeth E says
I love it! It feels so nice to find a solution for something that drives you nuts!
I have a totally random question. I noticed that many of your paint colors are Benjamin Moore colors matched to other paint. Where do you have this done? The place that I know of that sells it sells ONLY Benjamin Moore…I love the color palette but its not always worth the price to me!
YoungHouseLove says
Any paint counter at Lowe’s or Home Depot is usually happy to color match. You just bring them a swatch and they scan it and mix it up using their paint or they’ll look up the color code on the computer and use that. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Elizabeth E says
AHH! Thank you- this is life changing:) I feel like maybe I should have known that?
eRin @ growing up senge says
That is the classiest Fisher Price basketball hoop I have ever seen. I hope your neighbors appreciate your thoughtfulness and dedication to the aesthetic. =)
Wintry Mix says
OMFG. Sherry, I probably feel more affection toward you and John than toward any other people whose blogs I read, but this is the silliest, craziest, nuttiest thing I have ever seen you do! Get help! LOL. Well, I would never in a million years do this, but since it was bugging you before and is making you happy now, I’m happy that you’re happy. And this is clearly resonating with all the other bothered-by-toys’-colors weirdos on here, so there’s that. :)
Torey says
I agree. A bit overboard but if you’re happy then I guess it’s okay… Wondering why you didn’t just move the hoop to one of the decks/patio?
YoungHouseLove says
There’ not room for it on the deck (the ball bounced over the railing a lot) and we actually tried it on the patio but the cracks in the stones made it bounce off at crazy angles and it ended up in the mulch (where Burger goes to the bathroom) a bunch of times! It’s easier to move the hoop than paint it, but the carport is just the perfect spot for it :)
xo,
s
Christie says
Too fun!
I’ve been planning on painting the nerf hoop in my living room a fun bright color. Or maybe chalkboard paint on the backboard.
Yes, I have a nerf hoop hanging high on the wall of my living room. It was actually here when we moved into this rental, and we have three boys, so it stays.
cc says
I am laughing.so.hard. And you do too fold your underwear, I just know it! We have this mini b-ball toy, too, but it’s never made its way out of my son’s room to the outdoors. He never liked the ball it came with for shooting baskets as much as other things, like socks, pingpong balls, or chicken stuffed animals. I am trying to teach him to shoot his dirty clothes into a hamper below, but I guess getting mom’s approval to do something can make it sound suspiciously like work. ;) It has never until know occurred to me to ORB the thing, but I’m thinking about it now!
Cara D says
You crack me up! It does look great after though!
Melissa says
I love it. This post makes me feel better for noticing stuff like that all the time. I thought I was the only one!
I’m thankful to know that plastic can be spray painted and
actually works! We bought a sandbox that has a brown base
and a dark red/brown top, just so it would blend more with
the backyard.
Kristen says
I’ll admit that the thought of folding my underwear has never even crossed my mind. But I fold my husband’s undies in every laundry load. Am I getting shortchanged here?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I think a little underwear folding me-time is in order!
xo,
s
LauraC says
Nope, I don’t fold mine, but I do my husband’s, because, well, size matters. Bigger=easier to fold!
Helen says
What about when you raise the height of the hoop? I’m trying to picture mine at home – is the inside post black?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I raised it to the highest position while I sprayed, so it’s all coated inside too :)
xo,
s
Karen L. says
Sherry, love this change—I’ve bought a can of brown spray paint to paint an old white wicker table for the patio. I was wondering just how you deal with any wind outside when you spray stuff and just how “still” it has to be out when you do it? I’m always waiting til there’s no wind which never seems to happen.
YoungHouseLove says
I always try to wait for a not-windy day. I’ve tried to spray in the wind and I end up wasting a lot of paint and making a big mess, so it definitely helps. Also, I spray in this part of our yard that has a wall of bushes on one side, so maybe that acts as sort of a subtle wind break too?
xo,
s
KC says
Whether you’re Team Sherdog/ORB or not, one thing that no one can argue with is how you guys make use out of everything and make it your own. I would have never thought to “save” a plastic toy such as this, especially if it was a particular style or color I didn’t like. And I, being the minimalist that I am, would have probably just tossed it altogether. Now you’ve got my wheels spinning on how many toy items (or other things laying around the house) I could easily and cheaply transform to meet my needs and style. Brilliant, just brilliant. You guys never cease to amaze me. Thanks for the inspiration. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks KC!
xo
s
Kim says
Folder-because they fit in the drawer better, not because I am neat!
Justin says
Wow. This is so beautiful I could eat a bowl of ice cream on it.
I am still intimidated by spray paint. I always go for the brush, but I really want to try it since you make it look so easy. Do you have any videos of you spray painting? I know you always say light coats and always keep the can moving, but I just can’t seem to avoid wanting to load the stuff on heavy.
I want to see how the master does it!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
This post is one of the better ones when it comes to showing how thinthinthin the coats should be applied. I keep meaning to make a video but my hands are always full with the can and I’m not sure I could juggle the camera. Might need to recruit John next time!
xo,
s
Life In Yellow says
Ahh, I love this! And TOTALLY something I would do. The aesthetic of childrens’ toys rarely goes well with decor. :)
CC says
I love it. ORB is the cure for everything! I half expect you to start a post with John was looking a little pale and his shirt was stained and that ends with him being a living statue on the patio…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, if only he’d stay still for that long!
xo,
s
Kari says
I fully respect the idea that there are just things that bother each of us, and when a fix is quick and cheap, I’m all for making the change. Live and let live, to each his own. More power to you, $herdog.
I am going to toss in another side to this conversation, though, one that seems to be in the minority (as far as I can tell–I certainly haven’t read through all the comments).
There is so much creativity on the web, I love it. I’ve been reading your blog for years. And I’m all for sharing ideas, I’ve learned so much from others. However, at some point there needs to be a balance. One of the downsides to seeing projects like this is that it influences our cultural expectations of parents. It’s no longer good enough to have a basketball hoop for our kids–now it has to be painted in custom colors. Oh, maybe not this particular project. As I said, there has to be balance and maybe this toy project is just fine. And I get, too, that I don’t have to spend my time reading home improvement blogs of any sort if I so choose. But it might be nice to see someone conquer a non-project–someone saying, “guess what–I have this total eyesore in my carport, but I’m too busy actually shooting hoops with my kids to worry about what color it is–and if the neighbors are judging me because of it, well, that has more to do with them than it does with me.”
However, I can see that, in general, there are lots of plastic things that people might want to paint, and knowing that they can (and what to use) might be incredibly helpful.
YoungHouseLove says
I definitely say “I’m too busy to worry about ___ because I’d rather be spending time with my family” – for sure! I sprayed this hoop since it truly bugged me but I don’t cook. At all. I eat cereal for dinner when John’s not around. Seriously! He cooks and loves it. Thank goodness. I never bake. I buy cupcakes or a cake if we’re going to someone’s house and we’re supposed to bring dessert. And in my head I say “I just don’t love baking and I’d rather be playing with Clara than baking/burning something – haha!” – so I think you’re completely right, everyone must forgo certain things in the name of doing other things they love more. Life is all about that delicate balance of doing “what we should” and deciding what’s just not worth it :)
xo,
s
Kari says
Sheri–I’ve been thinking about my reply since I wrote it, while I ran to get my daughter from preschool. I did want to clarify that I by no means think that you and John are anything but, by all appearances, incredibly dedicated parents who have structured your whole lives to be able to spend time with Clara (working from home both of you). I know that you work hard to find balance.
I only wish my kids would eat cold cereal for dinner, then I’d be in heaven all the time!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, amen! Clara has been loving hummus lately, which is surprisingly easy! Toss some flat bread on a plate along with a hunk of hummus and some sliced apples or carrots = dinner! John figured that shortcut out. Genius!
xo,
s
Elisabeth says
Guess what I just read in an article featured on Yahoo!??? In particular tip number 3 :) http://shine.yahoo.com/at-home/5-decorating-rules-ok-break-142400960.html
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes I love mixed metals! We have orb curtain rods all over the house with silver lamps, trays, etc! The silver on our car (wheels, trim) makes for a nice little layered look in the carport. Haha.
xo,
s
Jamie says
I think you should dye the netting a fun color- just so it has a little bit of whimsy to it!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh I love that idea! What about just dipping the bottom of the net into a color? A little ombre action?
xo,
s
Audrey P says
I support your decision. Kid stuff is not attractive (generally), and if you can do something about it without ruining the fun, that’s awesome! I doubt your neighbors cared much tho :)
Erin says
Love it! Such a simple way to fix a little eye sore. :-)
ingenioussolutionsfortheuninspired.blogspot.com
MJB says
I love your blog. Even after this post, I will still love your blog.
But spray painting brightly colored kiddy toys? Just. Plain. Nuts.
But whatever makes you happy….
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks MJB! What about spray painting a wood chair bright yellow and a wood crayon truck bright blue and then tone down a bright hoop that glows from the street? Haha. I guess I’m nuts from both ends since I make some things brighter and some things less crazy :)
xo,
s
Suzy says
You are the “spray paint queen” so nothing surprises me!
Had to chuckle as it is a first for me. Wonder if the
red and yellow Little Tikes cozy coupe car would like an ORB makeover!!HEE HEE!! My now 21 yr old loved that car! She would drive up & pretend she was ordering fries from McDonald’s…too darn cute!
elizabeth says
Next up…the storage container!
Janice says
So, last week, the lady at the pet store tried to sell me a camo patterned Kong toy for the dog. I said “Camo? I’m not having anything camo patterned in my house!” Even the dog toys should match!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! Burger has a camo little long dog toy (you know the long dachshund looking things that squeek?) and he chewed the face off immediately. He was on the attack!
xo,
s
Andrea says
I thought this was a little weird at first, but after seeing it, it is so much better. I hate the color schemes on some kid toys/items. I never even thought about spray painting them. We had a yellow/red/blue booster seat that I hated because it clashed so badly with the rest of our decor. I finally got rid of it and bought a more neutral colored one. Now I am going to be on the lookout for which of our kid items I can paint a better color.
Nicole @ Post Grad says
Hahaha I love it. I just went on an oil-rubbed bronze spray painting craze last weekend in our house. Repainted all the old nasty vent covers and sad out-dated mis-matched curtain rods. It’s amazing how much better it makes everything look.
Jody says
Dude, it looks fantastic! Props to you for finding a way to make the plastic stuff look good!
I am considering ORBing bathroom taps and light fixture… thoughts? They are currently shiny chrome.
:D
Lisa says
Sherry,
I saw this on Pinterest and thought, “Sherry needs to know these exist!!!” Check it out ;-)
http://pinterest.com/pin/163607398934287060/
YoungHouseLove says
Beyond in love!
xo,
s
Jeanine says
I find those hoops a bit tacky too. I think the bright primary color red & blue are a bit much. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was gonna like it ORB-ed, but I totally LOVE IT!!! With the pop of the white net, it looks great!
Jude says
I love the reference to “simmah-down-now” I use that phrase all the time. On Saturday night live they were doing a skit about the saying, my favorite was “say Donna Summers backwards slowly… summa donna.” My kind of humor!
Love the basketball goal, girl, it’s all in the details! Love.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, Summa Donna = hilarious!
xo,
s
Steph says
I have a confession. I don’t have kids yet, but I absolutely hate kid clutter and cheap looking kiddy toys. I have a fear that I’m going to be the not fun mom who paints all her kids stuff from the primary color monstrosities they are! You know that scene in Mathilda where the headmistress comes in and they make the room all dark and gloomy? That’s what I’m afraid I’ll be like haha.
I feel like you guys do a good job of keeping a balance of making Clara happy and keeping things colorful, but not junky and tacky! I only hope that I can do the same one day!
Leanne says
You are so not weird! My husband and I have spray painted a couple of different toys. Our most recent was a playhouse we purchased on Craigslist. Now it looks brand new. Our next play is to give our sons little kitchen (that stays in our kitchen) a little update to match ours. People thing we are crazy but I just figure that’s why they made spray paint!
Kate says
Say hypothetically, you’d shown Clara the hoop after spray-painting it black, and she’d hated it and begged for the old hoop back…then what? Tell her to embrace her inner goth and hoop it up with the black hoop, or regret your decision and look for a new one on Craigslist and find another location to store it?
YoungHouseLove says
You’re right, it was a gamble, but I thought about how she used it and what she liked it for (dribbling, dunking, playing with the net) and tried not to change a thing about the function – that way the odds were that if she could still do all of her favorite things with it, she’d be cool. Thankfully she was! Although if she totally hated it I think I would ask her what color she’d like it (allowing her to pick at the store) and spray it that color. She has been loving yellow lately, and a yellow hoop would be fun too. Not invisible from the street, but a little more Clara-ish :)
xo,
s
Jenn says
I’m a little shocked about all of the underwear folders coming out of the woodwork. Frankly, I think my underwear like their chaos. Chilling in the bin.
AND… how do you fold a thong? Which way goes where?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Someone needs to make a how-to thong folding video for us!!
xo,
s
JenB says
Okay, I’ve just figured out my new Etsy business…painting ugly, plastic kids’ toys!! Sandboxes with chevron patterns, ORB-colored toy boxes, black and white Legos (don’t know if the kiddes would like that, though)…the possibilities are endless!
Emma says
You guys have single-handedly inspired me to tackle a few DGOTA projects of my own! I even have a Pinterest board called “Seriously get on these projects.” And I’m slowly tackling them one by one! So far, it’s been some jewelry storage/organization, and a few cute little additions to my picture gallery wall. Thanks for the motivation!!
Cara W says
Speaking in the same tone that you wrote this post in: that is one FLY hoop! HOLLA!
I too would do this if it bothered me. Go you for “getting on it”!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah, I always forget to use fly. Best adjective ever.
xo,
s
debbie says
Hi,
The hoop looks great. I totally get where you are coming from.
You might consider spraying the storage container the same color as well.
Love following your blog.
Debbie in Bucks County PA
Kelly says
LOL! At first, I thought, “Wha..?” But I get it. You make me laugh, $herdog. I never in a million years would think to do that. I need a can of ORB. Maybe I’ll get more projects done that way.
Cheers!
Jessibee says
Okay, yeah, crazy…but crazy awesome! I would have done the same thing and been all the happier for it too!
Also I am a ‘reformed’ underwear folder! It all just gets tossed in nowadays and I am so cool with it. Okay, well, I still fold my husband’s underwear…half reformed? I’ll work on it…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, he’s a lucky man!
xo
s
CLM says
Are you crazy?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes! 100%!
xo
s
Candice says
This is genius! I haaaaate the super-colorful outdoor toys that clash with everything else in the front yard. I never would have thought to spray paint them but now it seems so simple and obvious. It. is. on!
Steph says
I’m really, really NOT a fan of this at all, but if it floats your boat, it’s your house, your child’s toy and totally up to you, obviously. I was always someone who said that I would not have kid crap littered around my house mussing up my design scheme. Now that I have a child, I honestly do not think that there’s too much stuff laying around, but about the few things that are I say this: my house would look more adult-like, more stylish and more magazine-perfect if my son’s little red barn with all the animals he loves so dear were not sitting in the corner of our living room. If I spray-painted (or ORB’ed) the barn, it would fit in better with the decor scheme, for sure. However, in the few short years since I’ve become a mother, I’ve realized how fast this goes, how precious each moment is and how, in about a year, there’s probably no chance my son will want to have anything to do with his little barn or the little animals. It’s just temporary and this is his house, too. I guess I have chosen to embrace this phase that we’re in (not to the point where it’s overpowering and overshadowing our entire house – because it’s not), but because it doesn’t last forever, and I really think I’m going to miss seeing that sweet little barn in the corner of the living room every night and remembering his sweet baby giggles as he delighted in “moo-ing” and “baa-ing” and “bawk-ing.” I also think that it would have been hidden when you build the garage, so I probably would have just been lazy and held out for that moment…
Dani says
At first I thought, “oh glory! She must be bored!”. As I read further I thought, “I take meds to combat this kind of behavior, hahahaaa!”. Then I saw it finished and in the carport and was like, “Yep, had to happen.” It really does look better!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha thanks Dani!
xo,
s
Crystal @ 29 Rue House says
I think it is a great idea – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – you guys always get me thinking outside the box.
With all the colorful toys that I’m sure you’ve got in your house, I think Clara will be fine to have something “Mommy” style!
Wendy says
Love it!
I picked up a hippo scooter thingy for $1 at a garage sale a few weeks ago. ORB or other might be just the perfect solution for it. I’ll have to see if it works with the hub, but here’s to hoping!
Thanks!
Susannah says
Oh my word. I love that idea. So cute!!!